It’s double feature time! Both include a complete psycho.
To the StarsAuthor: Molly McAdams
Series: Thatch #2
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: February 9, 2016
Format: eARC
Pages: 387
He promised to wait for her.
She told him he was wasting his time.
Not waiting for him ended up being the biggest mistake of her life.When they were younger, Knox Alexander swore to Harlow Evans that he would wait for her to turn eighteen so they could be together. But that was two and a half years away, and Harlow couldn’t ask him to give up all the fun and thrills of going away to college for her. As the years passed, Knox remained a constant in her life but when her eighteenth birthday came around, Harlow’s heart belonged to someone else.
Every day for the last four years, Harlow has been haunted by that fateful choice. And though he may appear unaffected by what happened in their past, Knox has always tried to fill the void Harlow left. But when he comes stumbling back into her life and refuses to leave, will Harlow finally let him into her heart…?
I wasn’t expecting what this book entailed. Oh, it was good, but it wasn’t quite the romance I thought it would be. Harlow is in a very abusive relationship, and honestly, I probably wouldn’t have read To the Stars if I had known how much a part of the story it was. That kind of crap gets my blood boiling and makes me want to punch things, so it isn’t 100% enjoyable for me. It was done well, though, even if it did turn a bit into a LMN movie there towards the end.
While the present consists of Harlow in an abusive relationship and Knox trying to help her, we get flashbacks of how their relationship started and how it led up to where they are today. I really liked seeing the bond Knox and Harlow developed when they were younger, and how much they truly loved each other. I was conflicted at times, because I felt like some of the overreacting about the age difference was annoying. At the same time, I understood it and appreciated it. To a point.
Anyway, I liked it, but wasn’t overly enthusiastic about it. It definitely brings the drama, though.
Perfect DaysAuthor: Raphael Montes
Published by: Penguin
Publication Date: February 16, 2016
Format: eARC
Pages: 272
Teo Avelar is a loner. He lives with his paraplegic mother and her dog in Rio de Janeiro, he doesn't have many friends, and the only time he feels honest human emotion is in the presence of his medical school cadaver--that is, until he meets Clarice. She's almost his exact opposite: exotic, spontaneous, unafraid to speak her mind. She's working on a screenplay called Perfect Days about three friends who go on a road trip across Brazil in search of romance. Teo begins to stalk her, first following to her university, then to her home, and when she ultimately rejects him, Teo kidnaps her, and they embark upon their very own twisted odyssey across Brazil, tracing the same route outlined in her screenplay. Through it all, Teo is certain that time is all he needs to prove to Clarice that they are made for each other, that time is all he needs to make her fall in love with him. But as the journey progresses, he keeps digging himself deeper, stopping at nothing to ensure that no one gets in the way of their life together.
I love effed up books with effed up characters. I was excited to read Perfect Days as soon as I read the blurb, because it sounded right up my alley. However, my feelings fluctuated throughout the book, but never really reached that level of adoration.
Teo is a freak. I truly enjoy delusional characters that let their crazy out. He did that a couple of times, but I didn’t quite feel the intensity I was hoping for. I mean, at first I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know what lengths the guy would go to and what the outcome would be, but then I reached a point where I had to start skimming.
So, this had a lot of potential, but it just never broke through that barrier for me.
These both sound decent, and I am not a fan of abusive relationships. Great review Christ. Have you started Morning Star yet?
hahaha…don’t let that go to your head..I meant to type Christy!!
*snort* If only I could turn water into wine. No, I haven’t started Morning Star yet. Probably won’t until at least next week. I haven’t been able to read at all lately.
LMAO… it’s not time for you rise just yet….
Sorry neither of these were great reads for you. Perfect Days sounded like something I would have liked – maybe at some point. Great review!
Ack. I don’t know about these books. I don’t quite have the stomach for super angts-y reads. :/
Oi, the first one is definitely not for me becaue… DRAMA! And the second one, you’re more tolerant of this trope than I am and if it didn’t work for you, it will be hell for me. #coldheartedsnake
I do not think neither would work for me
These sound okay. Just not enough to get me to pick them up. I’ve read one Molly McAdams novel and wasn’t a fan so I think I better not bother. Thank for these reviews!
I am sorry to hear both of these didn’t fully work for you. the past and present type of story can be doen well and shed some light on things.
Hmmm…these sound like something that I would like. I am sorry that they weren’t exactly what you were wanting. Great reviews!
That sucks that neither of these were really stand out and fantastic. I think I remember thinking that when I read a different McAdams book years ago.
Okay, I am officially sick and it sucks so, sorry for the delayed responses today on visits and posts. My head is so congested it sucks! It feels like it will explode.
Teo, oh boy, he does wear his crazy on his sleeve. I could see reading just to see what he’d pull next, but sorry it didn’t quite get there with the intensity.
That other story would be a tough one.
Both actually seem tough to get through. Perfect Days sounded like it had potential, but I’m not a fan of the stalker-type character.
Eh… it sounded like both of these books are not for me. I will pass. Thanks for the heads up.
Abusive relationships are tough for me to really enjoy as well, so I can completely understand your issues with To the Stars. I’ve never heard of Perfect Days before. It has such a promising synopsis. Sorry it didn’t live up to what it could have been. Great reviews! 🙂
Perfect Days is one that I’ve been seeing a lot of, so I may have to see if I like it. I’ve not even read a Molly McAdams book. Ever! I know, shame on me.
I’ve not heard of the first one, and I’m just posting my review for the second one, too. Actually, I kind of dig those eff’ed up relationships, so the first might be in my realm. However, the cover looks sticky sweet and I would have never thought to pick it up.
Ah sprry to see it wasn’t what you expected and so not as good as you wanted it to be. I didn’t know about the2 I confess.
Abusive relationships are really hard to read about, but sometimes, it’s kind of necessary in a way. I’m glad To the Stars was quite good, even if there was a lot of darkness in there, Christy.
Not sure Perfect Days would work for me.
Thanks for the reviews 🙂
Perfect Days reminds me a bit of You by Caroline Kepnes, but not quite for some reason? I like the sound of messed up characters though! And To the Stars would really annoy me to with that abusive relationship. Not my favourite thing to read about, that’s for sure.
I’ve only read one book by Molly McAdams Christy, but it was enough to know the level of drama in her stories is just not for me. A Lifetime movie is an apt description, or maybe a Lifetime movie on crack:) Too bad neither of these really wowed you, hopefully whatever you pick up next does just that!
LMN? LOL!
Hm.. might try that first one. I was hoping for better with the second book, since effed up characters are good to read about. Sorry it just didn’t work. 🙁
Oh YEEEEES! Perfect Days sounds completely bonkers and I totally dig that! I love unreliable and borderline psychotic characters and it sounds amazing in theory, but just didn’t delivery how creepy and sociopathic that it really could have been. It sounded like it needed to push those boundaries even further. Disappointing to say the least. Awesome reviews Christy, really enjoyed them <3 <3
I didn’t expect the abuse that was in To The Stars either, it was a hard story.
A shame that you lost interest and skimmed Perfect Days.
Eh on both of them. Good to know.
Yeah, not sure if I could handle that much abuse in a book. I would break things.